This is the counsel of the Lord unto man in Proverbs chapter 4 verse 7: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding .”
Understanding is knowing what ought to be done at the right time and in the right way. There was a tribe in Israel who had understanding and so they admonished Israel on what they ought to do.
1 Chronicles 12: 32: “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” Knowing the right courses of action is a prerequisite for success, strength, and safety in our spiritual and secular walk.
Understanding is so important that man was counseled in the book of Proverbs “In all thy getting get understanding”, it is a, must have, for everyone, groups, and individuals alike. It is like a priceless oracle to know the paths to tread. Apostle Paul in his prayers for the believers in Colosse prayed that they be filled with knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians1:9). Meaning believers cannot get the full picture of God’s will without spiritual understanding. So understanding is a spiritual thing, it is a spiritual insight, spiritual prudence regarding what is to be done. King David in all his battles always consults with God and God reveals to him what he should do (1Sam 23:2; 1Sam 30:8). Understanding gives precision, it is an inner thing that is fed or nurtured through the Spirit. Deep calls to the deep at the noise of your waterspouts (Psalm 42:7). This connotes a relationship and it takes someone attuned to the Spirit (in prayers, meditation, and communion) that receive the call. Like, can only beget like.
Thank God for AI, algorithms, and the like but this cannot equate with or substitute for understanding which, man is to possess with all these. Daniel in one of the chapters reveals in chapter 11 verse 32: “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Understanding comes into play here for we have shown earlier that knowledge of God’s will is not complete without spiritual understanding and understanding comes from a spiritual relationship with God who is the Father of Spirits. Deep only calls to the deep.
Talking about the Father of Spirits, the Almighty God, Job has this to say in chapter 37 verse 23: “As for the Almighty, we cannot find (fathom) Him; He is excellent in power, in judgment (understanding, prudence) and abundant justice; He does not oppress.” Prophet Isaiah also in chapter 11 verse 2 gives us insight into the spirits of God and the spirit of understanding is one of them. The book of 1 Chronicles chapter 22 verse 12 reveals that it is the LORD God who gives wisdom and understanding and, enables us to keep and obey His law in everything that we do. Thus, we can have a perpetual flow of deep calling to the deep.
Why the need for understanding? Proverbs chapter 2 verse 11 gives us the answer: “Understanding shall keep you.” There is safety in understanding because when we have understanding, we can keep and obey the word of God and the devil has nothing to hold on to in our lives. Our Lord Jesus exemplifies this, He had an understanding of the scriptures and lived a life of obedience hence, He taught as One having authority. In these days we are in, with the wicked doing more wickedly, and deception abounding all around us, what will keep us is understanding (prudence, sound discretion, good judgment). This understanding comes from obedient relationships and communion with God. The gospel of John chapters 14 verse 26 and 16 verse 13 tells us: “The Holy Spirit will teach us all things, guide us in all truth and declare things coming.” He is the Spirit of understanding, He will tell us what we ought to do, and where we ought to go. It is left to us to be sensitive to His inner calls and witnesses.
How do we attain understanding?
Job 32: 8 says: “But there is a spirit in man, And the breath (inspiration) of the Almighty gives him understanding.” Though we are all spiritual beings, not everyone has the Spirit of God in Him. The Holy Spirit is given only to those who believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour. Only the shed blood of Jesus Christ atones for the sin of man. Having been washed by the blood of Christ through faith in His death and resurrection, we have peace with God having been reconciled and we become born again with the birth of the Spirit of God in us. Hence the scripture says in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 verse 17: “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away, behold all things are new.”
The Holy Spirit in us signifies the newness of our being, no more are we earthy, but now born of the Spirit. It is this Spirit of God in us, the Holy Spirit that gives us understanding through His inspiration. Through communion prayer, our minds are enlightened with the understanding that comes from the breath of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reminds us of all truth, that is, the word of God. The Word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm119: 105) when our eyes are full of light as spoken by our Lord Jesus, our whole body will be light (Mathew6: 22). Since we have the light in us by the Spirit, we at all times and in every situation know what we ought to do when our eyes are single in communion with the Holy Spirit and in obedience Understanding which comes from communion with God and in the keeping and obeying His word is key to our safety and strength in the days we are in.
